Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) voted to extend federal funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), community health centers and other critical public health programs. The Championing Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3922), passed the House with bipartisan support.

This legislation extends CHIP funding through fiscal year 2022 and will ensure that children from low income families continue to receive coverage through state-run CHIP programs. Federal funding for CHIP expired earlier this year, and while most states have been able to continue their programs by using funds on hand, a few states are on the brink of running out of money. In Colorado, funds for the CHIP program are expected to deplete by the end of January.

Additionally, the Championing Healthy Kids Act will extend funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) for two years through the Community Health Center Fund. FQHCs are community-based, patient centered organizations that provide wide-ranging health services to medically underserved populations.

The bill also extends Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments for two years. Medicaid DSH payments support hospitals that serve a large Medicaid patient population. According to the Colorado Hospital Association, the federal share of DSH payments across the state from 2016 to 2017 totaled $101.6 million.

"CHIP and community health centers are vital to ensuring families throughout Colorado and much of the US have access to quality healthcare, and funding these programs is critically important," said Congressman Tipton. "Today's passage of the Championing Healthy Kids Act will ensure many Coloradans continue to have access to affordable health care services they rely on. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join us in quickly sending this legislation to the President's desk."